Armed Forces Pay Review

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manning shortfall is at each of the operational pinch points identified by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in their report of February 2006, Cm 6740, for (a) officers and (b) other ranks in each of the Services.

Adam Ingram: The pinch points lists and data that was supplied as evidence to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body dates from April 2005. The current lists, that were supplied recently to the House of Commons Defence Committee, are shown in the table. They cover all ranksand additionally show the manning level of the Manning Pinch Point (MPP) trade as a percentage of the requirement. Officer branches are shown in italics.
	Naval Service
	
		
			  Serial Branch/trade Manning level (%) 
		
		
			 (MPPs comprise around 18 per cent. of RN and 9 per cent. of RM manpower requirement) 
			 l. Aircrew (Rotary Wing)  
			  Merlin Pilot 76 
			  Merlin Observer 57 
			  Merlin Aircrewman 70 
			 2. Fast Jet Pilots 79 
			 3. Junior Submarine Warfare Officers 71 
			 4. Junior Hydrographical/Meteorological Officers 53 
			 5. Submarine Steward (required for secondary duties) 85 
			 6. Submarine/Communications Ratings  
			  Petty Officer 86 
			  Leading Hands 48 
			  Able Seaman (4)114 
			 7. Fighter Controllers 77 
			 8. Surface Ship and Submarine Junior Warfare Ratings (4)106 
			 9. Air Engineering Junior Ratings 75 
			 10. Submarine Nuclear Watchkeeper Senior Ratings 69 
			 11. Royal Marines Junior Ranks 88 
			 12. Mine Clearance Divers Junior Ratings 75 
		
	
	(4)Some trades are manned at over 100 per cent. yet appear as MPP trades by virtue of over-commitment on operations or to fill shortfalls elsewhere.
	Army
	
		
			  Serial Branch/trade Manning level (%) 
		
		
			 (MPPs comprise around 15 per cent. of Army manpower requirement) 
			 l. Vehicle Mechanic 81 
			 2. Recovery Mechanic 73 
			 3. Armourer 81 
			 4. Ammunition Technician 62 
			 5. Chef 91 
			 6. Petroleum Operator 84 
			 7. Explosive Ordnance Disposal 74 
			 8. Clerk of Works 82 
			 9. Military Engineer  
			  Fitter 92 
			  C3S 81 
			  Geographic 78 
			 10. Information Systems Engineer 79 
			 11. Operator Military Intelligence 83 
			  Operator Military Intelligence (Linguist) 98 
			  Operator Military Intelligence (HUMINT) 34 
			 12. Anaesthetist 51 
			 13. Radiologist 0 
			 14. Orthopaedic Surgeon 53 
			 15. General Surgeon 40 
			 16. General Medical Practitioner 58 
			 17. Nurse  
			  General Duties Officer 67 
			  General Duties Soldier 64 
			  Accident and Emergency 8 
			  Intensive Theatre Unit 4 
		
	
	RAF
	
		
			  Serial Branch/trade Manning level (%) 
		
		
			 (MPPs comprise around 37 per cent. of RAF manpower requirement) 
			 l. Squadron Leader Flying Branch 93 
			 2. Junior Officer Pilots 93 
			 3. Junior Officer Weapon Support Officer 93 
			 4. Operations Support Branch (Fighter Control) 79 
			 5. Operations Support Branch (Regiment) 90 
			 6. Operations Support Branch SB (Provost/Security) 87 
			 7. Engineer 93 
			 8. Administration (Secretarial) 89 
			 9. Administration (Catering) 89 
			 10. Administration (Physical Education) 92 
			 11. Administration (Training) 87 
			 12. Medical 84 
			 13. Medical Support 83 
			 14. Dental 92 
			 15. Chaplains 88 
			 16. Legal 91 
			 17. Weapons Support Operator (Linguists) 53 
			 18. Weapons Support Operator (Air Loadmaster) 94 
			 19. General Technician Electronics 91 
			 20. Environmental Health Technician 87 
			 21. Gunner 95 
			 22. Air Traffic Control/Flight Operations Manager/ Flight Operations Assistant 94 
			 23. Aero Systems Manager/Operator 95 
			 24. Air Cartographer 93 
			 25. Medical Administrator/ Assistant 93 
			 26. Psychiatric Health Technician 78 
			 27. Staff Nurse 75 
			 28. Dental Technician 78 
			 29. Dental Hygienist 58 
			 30. Laboratory Technician 78 
			 31. Radiographer 63 
			 32. Operating Theatre Technician 87 
			 33. Movements Operator/Controller 1,011 
			 34. Mechanical Transport Technician 1,011 
			 35. Mechanical Transport Driver 1,021 
			 36. Fire Fighter 96